Take-down clothes line pulley reel



Nov. 6, 1962 J, w HoRNlNG 3,062,477

TAKE-DOWN CLOTHES LINE PULLEY REEL Filed Feb; 26, 1959 INVENTOR. James W. Hornng ywdlwvbhm limited States Patent O ice 3,062,477 TAKE-DOWN CLOTHES LINE PULLEY REEL .lames W. Horning, 381 Strawberry Ave., Bloomsburg, Pa. Filed Feb. 26, 1959, Ser. No. 795,641 9 Claims. (Cl. 242-100.1)

This invention relates generally to improvements in household accessories and is directed particularly to a new and novel take-down clothes line pulley reel.

Occupants of apartments and oftentimes of houses are frequently inconvenienced by the lack of a suitable place or means for hanging up small articles of clothing after washing the same, so that they may dry properly. Such inconvenience is also frequently occasioned by the character of the weather in those homes where outside arrangements are provided for hanging the clothes but, due to the fact that it may be raining or that the temperature may be very low, the hanging `of the clothes out of doors is not feasible.

To avoid the difficulties above referred to, persons often hang small articles on shower curtain rods or put up some type of makeshift line in a room and in the rst case the presence of the clothes on the shower rod may cause inconvenience to others in the home and in the second case the utilization of a make-shift line involves the annoyance of probably using tacks or nails in walls or framework and the tying of cords thereto and then untying and removing the cords after the desired drying of the clothes has been obtained.

It is a particular object of the present invention, in view of the foregoing, to provide a device by means of which the various inconveniences and annoyances to which reference has been made are overcome.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel take-down clothes line construction which can be easily and quickly set up for use and which after being used can be just as quickly removed and stored away.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a construction of the character stated a means whereby a double or continuous line can be set up for use which will enable the user to remain at one position as, for example, as a basin or tub, and hang articles of clothing on the line as they are washed and then shift the articles out of the way so that other and succeeding articles can be placed on the line and, accordingly, with a construction of this type the double line can be of substantial length and may be run through doorways from one room to another.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of the character stated a novel pulley and reel construction which provides means whereby the continuous double-run or double-flight line may be operated, in association with a second pulley mounted remotely from the rst pulley, and whereby, after using the device, the line may be wound up on the reel so as to bring the parts into a compact unit which can be readily put away in a drawer or storage closet.

A still further object of the invention is -to provide in an apparatus of the character stated a novel reel and pulley construction together with means whereby it may be easily and quickly set up for use or attached to a supporting wall or other structure for use and wherein an element of the structure which facilitates the setting up of the same may be used when the pulley and reel structure is taken down for supporting a picture or other object which will cover or hide the part to which the pulley and reel structure had been attached.

3,052,477 Patented Nov. 6, 1962 Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds, and the invention will be best understood from -a con sideration of the following detail description taken in con` nection with the accompanying drawing forming part of the specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to a strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a view in top plan of the complete apparatus as set up for use between two opposite walls or between any other two spaced-apart structures suitable for the purpose;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a View in side elevation of the combination reel and pulley unit looking at the crank side thereof;

FIG. 4 is a section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view in side elevation of a modified construction of the reel drum, a portion of the same being broken away and illustrating the employment of an integral coupling between the two halves thereof;

FIG. 6 is a view in side elevation of the reel drum shown in FIG. 5 with the latter rotated to the right on its axis through approximately 90 and further illustrating the connecting web between the drum sections.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the numerals 10 and 12 designate two oppositely positioned supporting structures between which the apparatus of the present invention may be mounted for use and which structures may comprise opposite walls of a room or elements of oppositely positioned structures of wood such as door or window frames to which the parts of the apparatus may be secured.

The apparatus of the present invention consists generally of a winding and reeling assembly, generally designated 14 and mounting means therefor designated 16, and an outlying attaching assembly which is generally designated 18.

The attaching assembly 18 preferably comprises a hook 20 or the like adapted to be secured in the structure 12 and to which is connected by means of the swivel eye 22 a pulley unit 24 carrying a single wheel or sheave 26.

The winding and reeling assembly 14 embodies or is made up of a yoke bracket 28 which is of substantial width and generally U-shaped conguration, comprising the back plate 30 having at its ends the short spaced parallel arms 31.

The back plate is provided with the two longitudinally spaced keyhole slots 32, the function of which will be hereinafter set forth.

Each of the arms 31 has overlapping relation with a peripheral portion of a relatively large annulus or washerlike disc 33 to which the arm is secured by screws 34 or in any other suitable manner as by means of rivets or welding, if preferred. These discs or annular plates 33 are thus positioned to have the apertures 35 thereof in axial alignment across the width of the bracket 28 to receive for rotation the ends of a reel hub which is generally designated 36. This reel hub is embodied in two short cylindrical or tubular parts 37 which in the form of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, are secured together in spaced end aligned relation by coupling straps 38 placed at diametrically opposite sides of the reel hub or hub parts as shown and attached to the parts by screws 39 or other suitable means which project through the adjacent parts 37 as illustrated more especially in FIG. 4.

These attaching or coupling straps 28, as stated, hold the two parts 37 in spaced aligned relation so that there is the narrow open space or area 40 between the parts 37 and where the straps 38 extend across this space 40 they are outwardly bowed as indicated at 41 for the purpose which will be obvious from the following description.

The hub parts 37 have positioned therein the relatively thick bushings 42, the opposing faces of which are exposed in the space 40 and are separated or spaced apart approximately the same distance as the width of the space 40.

The bushings 42 are held in the desired spaced relation by the screws 39 which extend into suitable threaded openings in the bushings as will be readily apparent.

The remote ends of the bushings 42 have placed thereagainst the discs 43 and these discs are coupled together by a pin 44 which passes through openings in the centers of the discs and through axial bores or passages 45 formed through the bushings 42 and extends across the space 40 providing therein an axle or shaft for and upon which is rotatably mounted a grooved pulley wheel 46.

In FIG. 4 the axle pin 44 is shown as being headed upon one end and as having its opposite end mashed or swaged over as at 44a so as to hold it in place and against axial movement but if desired, instead of having the end swaged, as shown, it may be threaded to receive a securing nut to facilitate assembling and disassembling of various parts of the device.

When the reel hub is located in operative position with its ends in the openings 35 of the supporting discs or plates 33, it will be seen that it will be kept against excessive axial movement by means of the ends of the straps 38 which are located relatively close to or may actually contact the inner faces of the adjacent plates 33.

In order to facilitate the rotation of the reel hub when desired, one of the parts 37, here shown as being the part which would be at the right of the assembly when the latter is set up for use, has secured radially across the end thereof the crank arm 47 which is of a length to extend to or beyond the periphery of the adjacent annular plate 33 and upon the end of this crank arm is mounted a rotatable handle 48 which facilitates rotating the reel hub.

The mounting means 16 comprises an elongate at plate 49 having suitable openings therethrough adjacent its ends for the reception of the mounting screws 50 whereby the plate can be secured against the face of the wall or other suitable structure, and in its use it is mounted horizontally and is adapted to have the plate 30 of the yoke 28 placed against its forward face.

Secured to the plate 36 and projecting forwardly therefrom are the headed studs 51. These studs are spaced the same distance apart as the keyhole openings 32 in the plate 30 and the heads of the studs are adapted to pass through the larger ends of the keyhole openings so that the body of the stud between the head and the plate 49 can slide into the narrow portions of the keyhole openings in the well known manner whereby the entire winding and reeling assembly 14 can be set up or mounted upon the wall 10 for use. Obviously in the mounting of the assembly 14 the keyhole slots 32 will be so arranged that the larger end portions thereof will be downwardly and thus when the plate 30 is attached to the plate 49 the assembly 14 will slip down so as to catch the headed studs 51 in the narrow upper ends of the keyhole slots, thereby holding the plate 30 of the yoke 28 tightly in place.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another form of construction of the reel in the manner of coupling together the two tubular or cylindrical portions 37. In these views the tubular or cylindrical portions are designated 37a and only one connecting strap designated 38a is employed to span the space 49a between the adjacent ends of the cylindrical parts. Diametrically opposite from the strap 38a the opposing edges of the two cylindrical parts 37a are coupled together by an interposed web piece 52 which may be a piece separate from the cylindrical parts 37a and welded to the edges of these parts as indicated at 53. However, the reel hub construction shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be produced from a single long cylindrical body and cut transversely midway between its ends through approximately the entire diameter so as to leave a small section corresponding to the web 52. This, of course, would produce the modified construction although the arrangement shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 referred to, or that shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, is preferred as the amount of Work and cost involved would not be as much as would be the case to produce the article in this last described manner.

Except for the Ireplacement of one strap by the web part 52, the construction is the same as in the first described arrangement, that is, there will be used the bushings 42a, the pulley wheel designated 46a, together with the axle or pivot pin 44a.

In the use of the present device it will be apparent that, in accordance with the preceding description, the plate 49 will be secured to one wall face and directly opposite therefrom the hook 20 will be secured to have the pulley 24 mounted thereon. The winding and reeling assembly 14 will then be mounted on the mounting means or plate 49, as shown, with the pulley wheel 46 or 46a aligned with the wheel or sheave 26 of the pulley 24. A cord or rope of suitable size is then passed over the bowed-out portion 41 of one of the straps 38 and the two ends of the cord are carried outwardly on opposite sides of the portion 41 of the opposite strap 38 or on opposite sides of the web 52, if this latter form' of reel hub is used, and one of the other ends of the cord is then passed around the pulley sheave 26 and the two ends of the cord tied together. The cord here illustrated is generally designated 54 and the two ights or runs 55 thus produced can be shifted back and forth as will be obvious, such shifting of the flights being, of course, permitted by the rotation of the pulley sheaves or pulley wheels which the endless cord encircles.

Preferably in connecting the cord ends together there would be provided in one end a slip knot such as that designated at 56 through which the other end of the cord may be passed in the manner indicated at 57 so that where the device may be set up between opposing surfaces which at different times may be farther apart or closer together, the double flight line may be easily drawn up tight to maintain the two flights 55 against excessive sagging when articles of clothing are placed thereon. The form of slipknot illustrated is such that it can be very tightly drawn up or constricted about the other end of the cord which passes through it so as to prevent slippage of such other end of the cord, but obviously if any such slipping should occur the said other end could be tied in a knot around the part of the slipknot through which it passes.

It will be seen that by the arrangement of the reel hub and the cord connected thereto, when the line is taken down by disconnecting the eye member 22 from the hook 20, the cord can be wound up on the reel hub by rotating the latter through the medium of the crank arm 47. This rotation of the hub will cause the strap 38 which lies between the flights 35, or the web 52, to pick up one side of the cord and twist or wind the entire cord around the pulley hub between the laterally spaced or side wall plates 33 so that the whole mechanism can be readily stored away in a neat condition in a closet or drawer.

It will be readily apparent that after the winding and reeling assembly 14 is taken down, the mounting plate 49 or the mounting means 16 will be left on the wall and by reason of the plate carrying the headed stud 51 use may be made of this device for supporting a picture or other object which would cover or hide the plate.v

I claim:

1. For use in clothes line apparatus of the character set forth, a winding and reeling mechanism comprising a frame having two spaced sides, a reel hub rotatably sup ported by and between said sides, said reel hub embodying two spaced end aligned cylinder parts, means coupling and eccentric to the cylinder parts securing said parts in spaced relation for positive unitary rotation, a pulley wheel rotatably supported in the space between the cylinder parts and bridged by said coupling means for turning independently of said hub, means for effecting rotation of the reel hub, and means for mounting said mechanism for operation.

2. The invention according to claim 1, with an axle pin supported coaxially with and by said cylinder parts and forming the support for said pulley wheel.

3. For use in clothes line apparatus of the character ,set forth, a winding and reeling mechanism comprising a frame having two spaced sides, a reel hub rotatably supported by and between said sides, said reel hub embodying two spaced end aligned cylinder parts, means coupling and securing said parts in spaced relation, a pulley wheel rotatably supported in the space between the cylinder parts for turning independently of said hub, means for effecting rotation of the reel hub, and means for mounting said mechanism for operation, the said means securing the parts in spaced relation `comprising at least one strap lying on the outer sides of the cylinder parts and extending across the space between the latter and a member bridging said space and secured to the cylinder parts diametrically thereof from said strap.

4. For use in clothes line apparatus of the character set forth, a Winding and reeling mechanism comprising a frame having two spaced sides, a reel hub rotatably supported by and between said sides, said rcel hub embodying two spaced end aligned cylinder parts, means coupling and securing said parts in spaced relation, a pulley wheel rotatably supported in the space between the cylinder parts for turning independently of said hub, means for effecting rotation of the reel hub, and means for mounting said mechanism for operation, the said frame sides being in the form of plates each having an opening in which an outer end of a cylinder part is rotatably mounted and the said means securing the parts in spaced relation is located at least in part for engagement with the frame sides toV restrict axial movement of the parts.

5. For use in clothes line apparatus of the character set forth, a winding and reeling mechanism comprising a frame having two spaced sides, a reel hub rotatably supported by and between said sides, said reel hub embodying two spaced end aligned cylinder parts, means coupling and securing said parts in spaced relation, a pulley wheel rotatably supported in the space between the cylinder parts for turning independently of said hub, means for effecting rotation of the reel hub, and means for mounting said mechanism for operation, the said means coupling said cylinder parts longitudinally bridging the space between the parts and extending across and being spaced from the pulley wheel, a bushing in each cylinder part, and a pin joining the bushings together across the space between the cylinder parts and coaxial with the rotary axis of the hub member and providing the support for the pulley.

6. The invention according to claim 5, wherein each of said spaced sides comprises a pair of plates each having an opening therein and each opening rotatably receiving one of the two remotely spaced ends of the coupled cylinders whereby the hub comprised of the coupled cylinders forms connecting means between said plates, and said cylinder coupling means coacting with the side plates for restricting axial movement of the hub members in the plate openings.

7. The invention according to claim 5, wherein the said means bridging the space between the cylinder parts includes a strap member lying on and longitudinally of the cylinder parts with its ends closely adjacent to the side plates and a second member bridging said space at the diametrically opposite side of the cylinder parts from the first member.

8. The invention according to claim\7, wherein the said second member comprises a strap member.

9. The invention according to claim 7, wherein the said second member comprises a web member interposed between the cylinder parts.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 492,628 Kinman Feb. 28, 1893 930,390 Kneisley Aug. 10, 1909 1,061,642 Stoup May 13, 1913 1,427,051 Altman Aug. 22, 1922 1,493,436 Kubista et al May 6, 1924 1,060,614 Donnelly Nov. 9, 1926 1,653,858 Kindler et al Dec. 27, 1927 

